Lever wins Dr Sando OAM Trophy

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Brendon Ah Chee of the Power and Jake Lever of the Crows compete for the ball during the 2015 AFL round 16 match between Port Adelaide Power and the Adelaide Crows at the Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia on July 19, 2015. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media)

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Lever, 19, becomes only the third-ever recipient of the award, which was coined in memory of long-serving Crows doctor, Dr Brian Sando OAM, who passed away in 2012. It recognises outstanding and professional attention to detail in the standard of preparation for being an AFL footballer.

Adelaide’s first pick (No.14 overall) in the 2014 National Draft, Lever exceeded all expectations in his debut AFL season. The diligent teenager, who missed the entire 2014 season after rupturing his ACL at training with the AIS-AFL Academy, was placed on a modified training program over the pre-season.

He made his long-awaited comeback in an SANFL trial match against West Adelaide in April and never looked back. Lever forced his way into the senior Crows team after only four games in the State League, selected to make his AFL debut against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium in Round Six. His professionalism and dedication to recovery enabled him to play 12 AFL games in his first season.

Lever won plenty of admirers with his composure, leadership and uncompromising attack on the ball. He earned a Rising Star nomination standout performance in Adelaide’s Round 17 win over Gold Coast, and was rewarded with a contract extension.